go for the jugular

idiom

informal
: to attack or criticize an opponent in a very aggressive way
He will very quickly go for the jugular in the debate.

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Cite this Entry

“Go for the jugular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20for%20the%20jugular. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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